Wednesday story day again. This week’s story is based on some of my experiences in writing query letters to agents. I have to admit for the most part the responses I had from agents were cordial and for the most part to the point, although one hundred percent of the letters I sent out were not answered. Of those that were answered one hundred percent were rejections. I thought it would be fun to create a situation where a writer wanted to be represented by an agent and would go to extraordinary means. Here is the story titled Query.

Query by John W. Howell © 2014

“So you might as well have a seat. We don’t normally see people, but since you have been sitting in the lobby for three days we thought we would make an exception in your case.”

“I really appreciate it. I am anxious to get representation and didn’t think my query letter was actually reviewed.”

“Did you get an answer?”

“Yes. Here it is.”

“Let me look. I see I responded to your query and let you know your story was not one which we wanted to represent.”

“That’s what the letter says and why I’m here. Here is a copy of the query I sent.”

“ Let me review it for a moment. Okay, I am ready. So what do you want to know?”

“Why was my story not worth representation?”

“Well, you see that’s the tough part. Some in the firm actually liked your story as you described it.”

“Why reject it then?

“If you look at the first line of your letter you’ll see the word capitulate is misspelled.”

“Yes I see that now. How does that matter.”

“Believe me with the number of queries we get even one misspelled word is enough to say to us that you are not very particular about your work. Also look at the second line. There is a comma missing between two separate thoughts in a sentence.”

“Let me guess. Not very particular about my work. Right?”

“Yes. I have to say also although some of my colleagues liked your query, I personally don’t like these kinds of stories so I would find it hard to sell a publisher on your book.”

“You need to like something in order to sell it? Do you like all your client’s books?”

“Well to be honest No. I am partial to some though.”

“So how do you sell the books you don’t like?”

“They are usually by best-selling authors so it is a no-brainer.”

“I am beginning to understand. You take sure things. You take no risks. An unknown like me would certainly be a risk.”

“Well, that about sums it up.”

“Okay, I think I have taken enough of your time. Thank you Frank.”

“You are welcome Mr. Vonnegut. I certainly hope you don’t give up on your quest to be published. I wish you the best of luck.”